Schriever teen creates program for Alzheimer’s patients

Sarah Usť, 17, is dedicated to enhancing the lives of people with Alzheimer’s, something she vowed to do after seeing how the memory-robbing affliction impacted her own family.

Kris JohnsonStaff Writer

Sarah Usť, 17, is dedicated to enhancing the lives of people with Alzheimer’s, something she vowed to do after seeing how the memory-robbing affliction impacted her own family.

Usť’s grandmother, Edna Schouest, died in July 2005 after a long bout with Alzheimer’s disease. Usť was only 10, but she helped her mom take care of Schouest, 67, during the last few years of her life.

Her role was to read to her grandmother daily. Reading helps stimulate the brain, researchers have said, and is particularly beneficial for Alzheimer’s patients.

Today, seven years after her beloved grandmother’s death, Sarah still volunteers her time through a program she calls READ, an acronym for Reading to End Alzheimer’s Disease.

Usť, a senior at H.L. Bourgeois High School in Gray, developed READ through her school’s 4-H Club. She is the junior-leader vice president.

It took her two years to get the program up and running, she said.

Prior to starting READ, Usť was a volunteer with the Houma Alzheimer’s Association chapter. She participated in benefit and awareness walks and helped with other projects. Usť was captain of her chapter team, which raised about $10,000 during the two years she was involved.

One of the hardest things about starting READ was getting the seed money she needed to launch it, Usť said. She applied for the Disney Friends for Change grant program, and was awarded $1,000.

Usť will use the money to buy supplies for volunteers and rent a venue for READ’s kickoff event, which will be held later this week in conjunction with Youth Service America’s annual Global Youth Service Day.

On Friday, READ volunteers will visit local nursing homes to read to Alzheimer’s patients. They plan to visit The Suites at Sugar Mill Point, Heritage Manor of Houma and Terrebonne House.

Usť is also trying to arrange a benefit concert for Saturday, but the venue hasn’t been secured yet, she said.

“Studies show that reading to them really helps them to exercise their minds, so I want to help with that,” Usť said.

Shirley J. Rabb, a nurse for 40 years and program director at John J. Hainkel Adult Day Care Center in New Orleans, says Usť’s research is “absolutely correct.”

“Reading to them has a calming effect, especially if it’s an old story, fairy tale, nursery rhyme or song they heard when they were young,” Rabb said. “At the onset of Alzheimer’s, newer memories are the first to go. They often have memories from early childhood, but can’t remember how to use the rest room.”

Usť says she has received so much local support that she can’t even count the number of people involved. “Different schools in the parish have been collecting books, and everyone in my school’s 4-H Club has been helping out,” Usť said.

She even has the backing of the Terrebonne Parish Council. She went before the panel Wednesday and outlined her plans.

Council Chairwoman Arlanda Williams requested a resolution, scheduled for a vote at the next set of council meetings, to document that Usť has parish government’s support.

“Next time you apply for any money, it’ll be easy for you to prove that your community and your government officials support READ 100 percent,” Williams said.

Williams is also treasurer of the YMCA in Houma, one place Usť has attempted to secure for the benefit concert.

“I’m going to everything in my power to try and make sure you can get it, because I’m so impressed by you and everything you’re doing,” Williams said.

Council members Daniel Babin and Christa Duplantis, herself a nurse, say they cared for family members with Alzheimer’s and they support Usť’s efforts.

“My mother died 11 years ago with Alzheimer’s. She was living at Heritage Manor at the time,” Babin said. “So this means a lot to me.”

“You’re definitely one of our future leaders,” Councilman John Navy said. “Kudos to you, and all you’re working for.”

Never miss a story

Choose the plan that's right for you.
Digital access or digital and print delivery.